Fort Worth’s climb past one million underscores its growing economic strength and makes DFW the only U.S. metro with two cities—just 30 miles apart—each with more than one million residents.
By Jessica Heer, Executive Vice President | May 15, 2025
Fort Worth has officially surpassed one million residents, reaching 1,008,106 people as of July 1, 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual population estimates data released today, and in doing so, it has made regional and national history.
With this milestone, Fort Worth becomes the 11th largest city in the United States, joining Dallas in an exclusive demographic club with more than one million residents. Just 30 miles apart, Fort Worth and Dallas are now the only two cities within the same U.S. metro area that both top one million residents, a distinction no other U.S. metro can claim.
In the past year alone, Fort Worth added 23,442 new residents, underscoring its continued trajectory as one of the fastest-growing large cities in the country. Tarrant County, home to Fort Worth, now exceeds 2.23 million people, representing a 5.7% increase since 2020.
The broader Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro area is also breaking records. DFW’s population rose to 8,344,032, gaining nearly 177,922 new residents in the last year alone, making it one of the fastest-growing metros in the nation.
Together, these numbers tell a powerful story: Fort Worth isn’t just growing, it’s transforming. And in tandem with the strength of the DFW region, Fort Worth is playing a central role in shaping the national landscape of major American cities.
Why This Matters for Fort Worth Economic Development
Population growth directly impacts a city’s economic strength. More residents mean a larger, more diverse workforce, greater consumer demand, and heightened interest from businesses and developers.
Crossing the one-million-mark signals that Fort Worth is a destination for talent, opportunity, and investment. It boosts the city’s visibility on the national stage and enhances its competitiveness when attracting companies, jobs, and infrastructure funding.
As Fort Worth continues to grow, strategic economic development becomes even more critical. This milestone is not just a number; it’s a catalyst for shaping the city’s next chapter of prosperity.
—
Jessica Heer is the Executive Vice President of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership. The Fort Worth EDP works directly with companies, site selection consultants, and corporate real estate professionals who are interested in moving or expanding to Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about Fort Worth, please schedule a meeting with us or check out our Why Fort Worth page.
